Random observations from a rather frequent solitary traveler to Florence for the past ten years. Some things change, others stay the same.​ In the change department—since I was here in April:• Cover/service charge now added to restaurant bill• African males are not on the streets selling• Street artists display an official permit• Gypsies and their family business have disappeared• In leaving the Pitti Palace you must show your ticket

In the stay the things stay the same department• Stone buildings are still standing.• Cappuccino still costs 120 euro• Shops on the Ponte Vecchio only sell jewelry• It still takes 463 steps to reach the lantern of the Duomo• I am still taking pictures of everything I see